Pressure control device



. Aug. 18, 1936.

- K. B. HOWELL PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE File d Nov. 24, 1934 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 5. 17261% 5 ffOZZ/CZZ Aug. 18, 1936.

K. B. HOWELL PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE Fild Nov. '24, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,051,299 PRESSURE CONTROL DEVICE Kenneth B. Howell, Milwaukee, Wis

Application November 24, 1934, Serial No.

12 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid pressure control and is particularly directed to systems for controlling and adjusting relatively high pressures Devices for the regulation of pressure or flow commonly employ control valves ally of the balanced actuated by two or more ating upon a diaphragm member.

which are usutype, and these valves are opposing forces oper- It is to this type of control that my invention is particularly applicable.

It is the purpose of a control or regulato this invention to provide r which utilizes the principle of the two fluids under pressure opposing each other on opposite sides of a diaphragm in conjunction with means governing pressure may whereby the control or be made of any desired amount without disturbing the accuracy'of the control to any practical extent.

I am aware that the fluid column regulator which opposes the controlled pressure by means of a fluid column of predetermined height exerting a distributed pressure against one sideof the diaphragm in opposition to the controlled pressure on the other side has been used before. This regulator, however,

has its practical limitation,

particularly when applied to high control pressures and pressures which must be frequently adjusted. The height to which the fluid column may extend is often able, and the matter ing the fluid column fluid is difficult and limited by the space availof lengthening or shortenby withdrawing or adding may result in serious errors.

My invention contemplates the provision of a pressure control system whereby the accuracy of the fluid column by trolled pressure and the controlling means of which the conpressure are applied to opposite sides of a diaphragm is retained.

low pressure point.

My invention furth nection the provision er contemplates in this conof a novel means whereby the pressure in a conduit maybe made to vary or be responsive to some other characteristic of the system such for example as the rate of flow, level,

temperature, and the I will describe the vention by reference ings whereinlike. I preferred form of the-into the accompanying draw- Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic sketch illustrating the system as applied to a back pressure controller;

Fig. 2 illustrates the invention as applied to a reducing valve pressure control;

Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the invention to the automatic control of pressure in response to rate of flow; and r Fig. 4 is an enlarged view mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the invention is shown'in Fig. 1 as applied-to a balanced valve 5 located'n the pressure line 6 which it is proposed to control. The valve 5 is operated by means of the valve stem 1 which projects downand is connected to the diaphragm 8 within the diaphragm chamber 9. The upper side ofthis diaphragm 8 is exposed to the pressure in the line 6, while the lower side is subjected to a fluid pressure entering the; diaphragm chamber through the pipe In. This fluid pressure is derived from a fixed column consisting of the mercury in pots l I and I2 and the pipe or column [3 connecting them and from an added pressure applied tov the top of: the mercury 001- umn by means of the pipe l4.

Thisadded pressure is obtained from a bleedoff pipe 15 from the pressure line 6. This bleed off pipe passes the fluid through an orifice l6' and aneedle valve I1, discharging from the needle valve through pipe l8 to atmosphere or any suitable point of constant low pressure. Pipe I4 is connected'to pipe I5'between the orifice and the needle valve so that the intermediate pressure superposed on top of the liquid column will bear a direct relationship tothe pressure above the orifice I6. I V

For example, if the area of the opening of the needle valve is of the proper size with respect to that of the fixed orifice I6, other factors being 40 allowed for,,then a pressure superposed upon the pot l2 may be made two thirds of the pressure in the flow line 6. Since in this case the diaphragm is balanced between two pressures, one of which is the pressure of a fluid column plus two thirds the pressure in the flow line, the regulator will function at all times to maintain the flow pressure ata value three times the equivalent pressure of the fixed fluid column. column exerting. a -pound pressure is applied to the diaphragm with the conditions asrabove stated, the flow pressure would be 150 pounds. By proper selection of the orifice openings, the control pressure can of apart of the Thus, if a fluid thus be accurately main- 2 V 77 V tained constant at any desired value greater than that of theapplied l V particularinstallation;.an-d the control? pressure 3 fluid column. isprinciple as above described is applicable to fixed'orifice and the needle valve orifice.

above describedthe height of the fluid column may be made such as'to be convenientfor the may be then established by adjustment of "the "fixed orifice. All of the advantages of. the fluid column type of regulator are obtained in this system.

In Fig.2, I haveshown'the massa e as. I

- subjected to the fixed pli'ed'to the control of:pressure by meansof-a reducing V point is to be maintained constantalve wherein the'pressure at-a remote of the'fiow line 6' and is, conducted through suit- H bottom of the diaphragm chamber'9'.

- timing of this device is substantially thesame as It'is evident that and I 7', the intermediate pres sure being applied from the top of the fluid column 'l3' which in turn is connectedto the injthe first'form. shown.

remote point or close, to the valve'as desired, Fig. 1 shows the diaphragm pressure obtained direct from flow line 6 at the valve while in Fig. 2 (the"reducin'g valve'type) r the pressure is-returned to the diaphragm through r demand; 'l'o' meet the needs has-heretofore been thespractice to manually ad'-' 7 }-just' and set the regulator pressures as demand pipe H! from a remote point. a I Referring now to Fig. 3, I have shown another arise problems of .apressure reduction (of afiowing' fluid'un'der circumstances where the amount of reductionof pressurewill increase with the rateof'flow. service, where frictional resistance of pipe lines being dependent upon flow necessitates the establishmentofpressure in the. system based upon the of this situation, it

conditions require. I V

With the present invention, it is possible to automatically adjust the-control pressure in such 'Z a fashion that the-pressure increases as the demandincreases so as to 1 structure is automatically actuated by means. which reflect the rate of pressure will be automaticallyregulated' to lcorree flow, then the controlled spond to demand rates.

7 r The" automatic setting of, adjustable orifice f or needle .valve in response to flow measurement may be accomplished I have illustrated a methodwhe'reby'this result may be, accomplished. Since the valve position of the pressure regulator is in itself a measure movement of the valve, stem transmitted 'to theneedle valve adjusts the'con-' e1 trolled pressure inaccordance with the rate of how as desired.

the outlet side at 2| any. desired ratio of orifice area between the V into the sealed chamber 23: through which the Obvi iouslyv both of the orifices'may be adjustable if desired. r a

,. It will 'benoted that with the'arrangement' v In this inp stance the bleed-01f is taken from the outlet side additional frictional loss 7 increased flow so as 'to maintain the'distinct pressure constant. Therefore, it is necessary The func- V the point, of control {from which the pressure through pipe l9 is appliedto [thediaphragm may be taken on either side of the "valve and at either a gas transmission for operating give a constant pressure at'the' remote point of delivery. 'I 'hus, fin ref er-' enceto Fig. 1, if the needle valve in that type of in'several ways. In Fig. 3,

is shown at 20, and

through a fixed orifice 22 valve stem 24 projects. Within the chamber 24', which incidentally is open to the upper side of the diaphragm 2 5, I provide means whereby the valve. stern 24 operates 26 and thereby govern vertical movement of the to control a' needle valve the amount of bleed-off from the chamber 23and When thus the pressure within the chamber 23. the pressure in the outlet line 20 is reduced, for

example by'an increase in demand at the remote point, the effect is transmittedthrough the fixed orificeZZ to the chamber 23 and results in a temporarydrop'i n pressure in'the chamber 23. This causes the diaphragm, the lower side of which is pressure of the column 28, to rise thus increasing the fiuid flow through the valve in the fluid line. a

However, it is desired to compensate for the in the line due to'the not only to regulatethe original pressure in the mean, but to increase the, point. As the cam 21 is moved upwardly with pressure at this V the valve stem, this'permits the needle; valve A r toqopen a little wider thus further reducing the. a pressure in the chamber 23 and resulting inan overcorrection of. the

pressure loss in the line to take careof the increased-flow. In this way.

the flow control. may

of the pressure in-the line 20 in response to increase in'fiow to take care of the demand. It

be made such as to give" any desired increase Within the available limits is obvious that the cam 21 may be set for any desired position so astogovern the rate of correction in response to the rate of change of flow.

The seat of" the valve 26 as shown ismade; adjustable to permit taking up wear of the parts, and a plug 29 is providedfor obtaining access to the interior or the chamber 23 where the slope of the cam 21 may be'adjusted; by the screw 30.; m

From, the above description, it is believed that the construction and operation of this device will be clear to those skilled inrthis art and the adf; vantages thereof readily apparent.

" Having'thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

t 1. A pressure regulator system comprising a fluid conduit in whichthe pressure is to be con-' trolled, a valve for controlling the pressure in said conduit, a diaphragm connected to said valve fluid column acting upon said diaphragm jdia rectly; to control therein upon the diaphragm.

the same means'providing a fixed said valve, and means augment-i 1 ing the fluid column control comprising a bleed conduit;

orifices pro 7 intermediate having connections for directing r 2. A pressure regulator system comprising a fluid conduit meniing thefiuid column control comprising'a bleedfconduit from thecontrolled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced in which the pressure is to be con I trolled, a'valve for controlling the pressure in directly to controlsaidvalve, and means augprovided therein, and a third conduit intermediate saidorifices having connections for. directing the pressure therein upon the diaphragm, and means for varying the size of one of said orifices to thereby control the pressure in said third conduit.

3. A pressure regulator system comprising a fluid conduit in which the pressure is to be controlled, a valve for controlling the pressure in said conduit, a diaphragm connected to said valve for operating the same, means providing a fixedfluid column acting upon said diaphragm directly to control said valve, and auxiliary control means comprising a bleed conduit from the controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices provided therein, and a third conduit intermediate said orifices having connections for directing the pressure therein upon the diaphragm, and means automatically responsive to outside conditions requiring adjustments of the controlled pressure for varying the size of one of said orifices to thereby control the pressure in said third conduit.

4. A pressure regulator system comprising a fluid conduit in which the pressure is to be controlled, a valve for controlling the pressure in said conduit, a diaphragm connected to said valve for operating the same, means providing a fixed fluid column acting upon said diaphragm directly to control said valve, and auxiliary control means comprising a bleed conduit from the controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices provided therein, and a third conduit intermediate said orifices having connections for directing the pressure therein upon the diaphragm, and means actuated by movement or said valve for varying the size of one of said orifices to thereby control the pressure in said third conduit.

5. A pressure regulator system comprising a fluid conduit in which the pressure is to be controlled, a valve for controlling the pressure in said conduit, a diaphragm connected to said valve for operating the same, means providing a fixed fluid column acting upon said diaphragm directly to control said valve, and auxiliary control means comprising a bleed conduit from the controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices provided therein, and a third conduit intermediate said orifices having connections for directing the pressure therein upon the diaphragm, and means actuated by movement of said valve for varying the size of one of said orifices to thereby control the pressure in said third conduit, said last named means comprising a needle valve controlling the ori-' fice, a stem for said valve, and cam means movable with the pressure controlling valve for moving said stem.

6. Means for controlling a high pressure in a conduit, from a fixed fluid column having a maximum pressure that is only a fraction of the controlled pressure which comprises a valve-in said conduit, a diaphragm for moving said valve, means providing a fixed fluid column in communication with said diaphragm, and means to balance the diaphragm between the fixed column pressure and the controlled pressure comprising a bleed conduit leading from said controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices therein, and a third con-duit tapping the bleed conduit between said orifices and open to the diaphragm to supply the difference in pressure between the fixed column pressure and the controlled pressure.

"7'. Means Ioncontrolling a high pressure in a conduit, from a fixed fluid column having a maximum. pressure that is only a fraction of the controlled pressure which comprises a valve in said conduit, adiaphragm for moving said valve,

means providing a fixed fluid column in communication with said diaphragm, and means to balancev the diaphragm between the fixed column pressure and the controlled pressure comprising a bleed conduit leading from said controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices the-rein, and a third conduit tapping the bleed conduit between said orificesand open to the diaphragm to supply the. difierence in pressure between the fixed column pressure and the controlled pressure, said third conduit opening directly into the fluid column, and the controlled pressure being connected to the other side of the diaphragm.

8. Means for controlling a high pressure in a conduit, from a fixed fluid column having a maximum pressure that is only a fraction of the controlled pressure which comprises a valve in said conduit, a diaphragm for moving said valve, means providing a fixed fluid column in communication with said diaphragm, and means to balance the diaphragm between the fixed column pressure and the controlled pressure comprising a bleed conduit leading from said controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices therein, and a third conduit tapping the bleed conduit between said orifices and open to the diaphragm to supply the difference in pres sure between the fixed column pressure and the controlled pressure, said third conduit opening directly into the fluid column and the controlled pressure being connected to the other side of the diaphragm, one of said orifices having means to vary its size for controlling the pressure between said orifices.

9. Means for controlling a high pressure in a conduit, from a fixed fluid column having a maximum pressure that is only a fraction of the controlled pressure which comprises a valve in said conduit, a diaphragm for moving said valve, means providing a fixed fluid column in communication with said diaphragm, and means to balance the fixed column pressure and the controlled pressure comprising a bleed conduit leading from said controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices therein, and a third conduit tapping the bleed conduit between said orifices and open tothe diaphragm, said third conduit opening upon the opposite side of diaphragm from the fluid column.

10. A pressure regulator system comprising a fluid conduit in which the pressure is to be controlled, a valve for controlling the pressure in said conduit, a diaphragm connected to said valve for operating the same, means connecting one side of the diaphragm to the fluid conduit, means providing a fixed fiuid column acting upon the other side of said diaphragm directly to control said valve, and means augmenting the fluid column control comprising a bleed conduit from the controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit having spaced orifices provided therein, and a third conduit intermediate said orifices having connections for directing the pressure therein upon the diaphragm.

11. Means for controlling a high pressure in a conduit from a pressurev device having a maximum pressure exerting ability that is only a fraction of the controlled pressure, said means comprising a valve for said conduit controlling V the pressure therein, a diaphragm rconnected to comprising avalv'e for said conduit controlling :pressure of said said valve for operating the same,'the pressure device acting directly on the diaphragm; and

means" to balance the diaphragm between the sure comprising a bleed conduit leading from said controlled pressure conduit, saidbleed conduit having spaced orifices therein, and a thirdrcon- V j duit tapping thebleed conduit between said ori-r '10 difference in pressure between the fixed column fices and open tothe diaphragm to supply the pressure and the controlled pressure.

12.:Means for controlling a. high pressure'in a a conduit from a pressure device having a maximum; pressure exerting ability that is only a pressure, said means a device acting directly pressure of said device an deviceand'the controlled pres V V 7 sure comprising a bleed conduitileading from said the pressure therein,la diaphragm connected to said valve for operating the same, the pressure n the diaphragm, and

means to balance the diaphragm between the controlled pressure conduit, said bleed conduit the controlled'pres havingspaced orifices'thereim'and a: third conduit tapping the bleed conduitbetweenfsaid orie fices and open to the diaphragm'to supply the difierence in pressure between the fixed column A preSsur'eQandmeanS s actuated by movement of said valve forfvarying *the size of one of said'oriflces tjo thereby control the pressure in said third conduit; r

pressure and the controlled r i3". HOWELL; 

